A joint FBI–Netherlands operation dismantled several piracy sites targeting Nintendo Switch and PS4. The case highlights the intersection of cybercrime, transnational surveillance, and the video game industry.
In July 2025, the FBI and the Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) carried out a joint operation against several video game piracy sites, including Nsw2u, the most active platform for Nintendo Switch titles. Investigators estimate damages of USD 170 million (≈ €157 million) from more than 3.2 million illegal downloads in three months. This legal action, enabled by cross-border cooperation, marks another step in the fight against illegal distribution of digital content. The case underscores the convergence of cybercrime, economic stakes, and intelligence efforts to secure the video game industry’s value chain.
A Coordinated Transnational Takedown
On July 14, 2025, several video game piracy sites were taken offline by the FBI with support from Dutch authorities. Nsw2u.com, nswdl.com, game-2u.com, bigngame.com, ps4pkg.com, ps4pkg.net, and mgnetu.com now display judicial seizure banners. According to court documents, the servers were located abroad, requiring international cooperation. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia issued warrants authorizing the seizure of domain names and associated infrastructure.
Investigators recorded about 3.2 million downloads between February 28 and May 28, 2025, with estimated damages of USD 170 million (≈ €157 million). These figures highlight the industrial scale of the activity.
Among the targeted platforms, Nsw2u played a central role. Considered a major piracy hub since 2021 by the Entertainment Software Association, it offered Nintendo Switch games often before their commercial release. Access required either a modified console or the use of emulators, multiplying the technical vectors of infringement.
The site was listed on the European Counterfeit and Piracy Watchlist and had already been blocked in several countries, including France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The platform’s operators never responded to takedown requests from publishers.
Cybercrime and Economic Intelligence
The case illustrates the ability of U.S. and European authorities to combine economic intelligence with cyber investigations. The server seizures in the Netherlands required FIOD involvement, while the FBI coordinated judicial actions in the United States. This cooperation underscores the growing importance of cross-border intelligence in combating digital piracy.
For the video game industry, damages extend beyond financial losses. Early leaks of strategic releases, as already observed with major titles, threaten the security of distribution chains and reinforce the need for continuous cyber monitoring.
The operation against Nsw2u illustrates a new approach to combating piracy, where cyber investigation and economic intelligence converge. The question remains: will these shutdowns have a lasting impact on the piracy ecosystem? [ZATAZ News English version]
